Continuing with the season theme of “Disruption,” the Reading Theater Project will present a staged reading of Josh Cohen’s “Deb’s Dresses” on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Albert and Eunice Boscov Theater at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading.
The reading, featuring script-in-hand performances by local actors, is directed by Patrick O’Neill and stage managed by Jody Reppert.
All tickets are pay what you will, including $0, with a recommended price of $10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit readingtheaterproject.org.
About the play: Siblings Mark and Rachel Aronson try to give their wayward sister Becca a lifeline when she returns home to Cleveland from New York City and takes a job at a family friend’s dress shop. But Becca has betrayed their trust before, and she has demons from her past that could derail her life and endanger her relationships.
About the playwright: Josh P. Cohen originally hails from Youngstown, Ohio, where he first discovered his love of theater during high school, both acting and playing piano and guitar for plays and musicals. He got into playwriting while attending Kent State University. In addition to playwriting, Josh also writes songs and poems. One of his poems was included in “Keystone Poetry: Contemporary Poets on Pennsylvania” (2025). He lives in Montgomery County.
The Reading Theater Project is a locally focused, professional theater company, based in Greater Reading/Berks County. We value collaboration and creative challenges and believe theater is an inclusive experience that can reveal our shared human condition. For more information, visit readingtheaterproject.org or call 484-706-9719.
Music
The Reading Choral Society and Ringgold Band will present “America 250,” celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States, next Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 430 S. Seventh Ave., West Reading.
It will be directed by Dr. Graham Bier, RCS music director and conductor, and Charles Ebersole, Ringgold Band conductor.
The centerpiece is “The Testament of Freedom” by Randall Thompson (known for his beloved “Frostiana”), which sets texts from the writings of Thomas Jefferson.
The concert includes other favorite patriotic works such as “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “America the Beautiful” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door; and $10 for students.
For tickets, go to https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/reading-choral-society/america-250-concert.